Painted Air Scoops

[iman501]

Trying to decide what to do with my bike next besides paint the frame and swing arm. Curious to see those with painted air scoops! So if you got them, post them!

 

[thrstrmech]

there's someone one the forum that painted the mirrors on their '03 9r white to match the bike, looked nice...someone else did do the scoops in blue, can't find the thread...
how about the bezels

 

[buellbradski]

Be sure to sand them down good first to remove texture with 220 grit then 400 then prime sand again with 600 before paint.

I use duplicolor paint shop jet black w/ hvlp 2 coats color 3 clear.

 

[sparky300]

Hmm, interesting. Wonder if this would also work with the lower cowl center section...

 

[buellbradski]

YES!!But stones beat it up so you have to redo it every two years.

 

[thrstrmech]

idler pulley...

 

[augustus_01]

thrstrmech,

How hard was it to paint that?

 

[heagachongoose]

Painted every piece of plastic on it myself. Sand it down with a light paper, hit it with some adhesion promoter, then I painted a base of gloss black and finished up with a blue metal flake and many coats of clear. Right scoop is on the way. you might want to check out the DIY anodizing thread on here. It's good stuff. Going to be doing my levers and a few other oddities here soon.

[up]

 

[sparky300]

Those came out nice. [up]

Anyone ever use Krylon or Rustoleum rattle can paint specifically for plastics?

 

[thrstrmech]

augustus...not that bad, clean it well, use painters or frog tape to cover what you don't want painted, take your time, spray from both sides to get the neccessary coverage, aluminum primer, not too thick with either coats, mine has 3 coats of paint and clear, left the tape over the bearings and the pulley surface which contacts the belt and cleared both sides,allow time to dry between coats of paint and clear, I used Krylon interior/exterior gloss paint and a gloss finish clear...that pic doesn't do it justice cause I didn't clean it up well, rushed to get back together

 

[heagachongoose]

Thanks sparky My whole paint job is actually spray can. I'm pretty sure I used krylon metal flakes. Not for sure though it might be rust oleum. Spray clear too. none of the paint was meant specifically for plastics which is why I used an adhesion promoter to keep from peeling and whatnot. I originally questioned the durability of a rattle can job but it holds up quite nicely.

, not too thick with either coats

So true. When you paint with cans you want to do more layers of a thin coat as opposed to less layers of a thick coat. Thick coats can give you running and bubbling which is no good. And when applying clear you get a much better gloss with thinner coats. Just my 2 cents.

 

[garyphantom222]

Hmmm,this thread has given me what I will do to my bolt next.[up]

 

[BuellyBagger]

Remember to use a good plastic prep cleaner and adhesion premoter fellas Lots of companies have products for paint plastic on the hobby and pro level. Evercoat, USC,Transtar, 3m, and Bulldog all have areasol plastic prep products.

there are some helpful painting tips on my thread http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Painting

I like USC's bumber and cladding coat for doing a "no scuff" paint job on textured plastic, they have a adhesion primer if ur wanting to paint it ur own color or they have a wide range of factory blacks and greys if ur just looking to spruce up ur black plastic to keep the factory look. http://www.urethanesupply.com/3601.php

also feel free to ask me if u have ne questions or run into ne problems

 

[thrstrmech]

thanks for the info Buelly, left side scoop looking a little faded even after cleaning, have to give that a look

 

[iman501]

now my mind is turning! your guy's parts all look great! Now i just have to find the time to actually do it....